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John Barnes: Shearer's Newcastle Appointment Is Perfect Timing
Liverpool and England legend John Barnes - now a New Football Pools pundit and manager of the Jamaican national team - tells Goal.com what he thinks about the managerial change at another of his former clubs.
Apr 4, 2009 3:03:29 AM
John Barnes is a pundit for the New Football Pools and gives his views to Goal.com readers on the week's big story in the Premier League.
"I think the appointment of Alan Shearer is a good move for my old club Newcastle. We all know he had turned the role down before but in terms of timing this couldn’t be any better.
"If they stay up - and to be honest, I thought they would anyway - then Alan will be the saviour, the messiah if you will; if not, then the past regime will be blamed.
"It was important to lift the gloom around the club and to give it some positive energy. Alan’s appointment will lift not only the fans, the players but the whole region. Despite playing alongside Alan at Newcastle I have no idea if he’ll be a good manager as you never know.
"What we do know is that he’ll instantly gain the respect of everyone associated with the club, which can only help him be a success. This job has probably come earlier than he anticipated but we all knew that one day Alan would become manager at St James’ Park. He has now received an opportunity to lead his beloved club and it can only be a positive move for Newcastle.
"Alan has been sensible with his reported appointment of Iain Dowie as his assistant. After all, Iain is a very good coach, has been successful and has an infectious enthusiasm for the game. Obviously the pair of them played together at Southampton so should prove a good partnership as Iain’s experience can only help Alan make the transition into management.
"Newcastle’s next game is against Chelsea at home so it’s not the best match for Alan to make his managerial debut, but the atmosphere is sure to be a lot more positive than it has been lately, so who knows how that game will go?
"The Newcastle fans love Alan and the hero-worshipping will continue. However, it’s the players that will win matches so the fans need to get behind them more than the manager. It’s a very positive move by the club but the fans need to understand that the ‘Alan Shearer factor’ is there to help the players, but Alan Shearer alone will not save the club. It will take the fans to get behind the team, and the players to put in performances which I am sure will happen, to keep Newcastle in the Premier League where they belong."
John Barnes for Goal.com
John Barnes is a pundit for the New Football Pools. To challenge John's prediction prowess or hear his weekly football podcast - or to play Footy 15, Premier 10 or any other of the Football Pools games on offer - visit www.footballpools.com.
"I think the appointment of Alan Shearer is a good move for my old club Newcastle. We all know he had turned the role down before but in terms of timing this couldn’t be any better.
"If they stay up - and to be honest, I thought they would anyway - then Alan will be the saviour, the messiah if you will; if not, then the past regime will be blamed.
"It was important to lift the gloom around the club and to give it some positive energy. Alan’s appointment will lift not only the fans, the players but the whole region. Despite playing alongside Alan at Newcastle I have no idea if he’ll be a good manager as you never know.
"What we do know is that he’ll instantly gain the respect of everyone associated with the club, which can only help him be a success. This job has probably come earlier than he anticipated but we all knew that one day Alan would become manager at St James’ Park. He has now received an opportunity to lead his beloved club and it can only be a positive move for Newcastle.
"Alan has been sensible with his reported appointment of Iain Dowie as his assistant. After all, Iain is a very good coach, has been successful and has an infectious enthusiasm for the game. Obviously the pair of them played together at Southampton so should prove a good partnership as Iain’s experience can only help Alan make the transition into management.
"Newcastle’s next game is against Chelsea at home so it’s not the best match for Alan to make his managerial debut, but the atmosphere is sure to be a lot more positive than it has been lately, so who knows how that game will go?
"The Newcastle fans love Alan and the hero-worshipping will continue. However, it’s the players that will win matches so the fans need to get behind them more than the manager. It’s a very positive move by the club but the fans need to understand that the ‘Alan Shearer factor’ is there to help the players, but Alan Shearer alone will not save the club. It will take the fans to get behind the team, and the players to put in performances which I am sure will happen, to keep Newcastle in the Premier League where they belong."
John Barnes for Goal.com
John Barnes is a pundit for the New Football Pools. To challenge John's prediction prowess or hear his weekly football podcast - or to play Footy 15, Premier 10 or any other of the Football Pools games on offer - visit www.footballpools.com.
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